In response to ballooning jobs in New Jersey’s cannabis industry, Stockton University is rolling out a new undergraduate degree program this fall aimed at providing educated graduates to fill future industry roles.
The University’s Bachelor of Science in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management degree (HACM) is a first in New Jersey, Rob Mejia told COMMERCE Magazine in a recent interview.
Mejia, Adjunct Professor, Cannabis Studies, Stockton, said the University began offering a Minor in Cannabis Studies in the fall of 2018 with an enrollment of 24 students. Enrollment grew quickly and to date over 70 students have graduated with the Minor, according to Mejia. Based on this success and seeing a need to provide educated graduates to work in the hemp and cannabis industries, Stockton added the HACM undergraduate degree. The University, located in Galloway Township, NJ, expects to see up to two dozen students enroll in the first year — and the first potential graduates of the program in spring 2028.
“Stockton University is leading the way in cannabis education, offering the first Bachelor of Science in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management in New Jersey to meet the booming demand for educated professionals in this rapidly growing industry,” said Mejia.
Full time cannabis jobs in New Jersey saw a 66% spike this year, growing by 4,870 positions to a total of 12,237 in March 2024, according to Vangst’s Cannabis “ Jobs Report 2024 .” And these figures don’t include “support” businesses required to make cannabis businesses successful, Mejia noted, such as marketing companies and webpage developers. According to the report, with a little more than 100 stores, New Jersey added nearly 5,000 jobs but has captured less than one-third of the state’s full cannabis demand.
“With New Jersey's cannabis industry on track to exceed 12,000 jobs this year, Stockton University's new degree program is crucial in supplying the knowledgeable and skilled workforce needed to sustain this growth,” said Mejia.
Degree Details
The HACM degree from Stockton University, located in Galloway Township, NJ, is multifaceted with an emphasis on experiential learning grounded by rigorous business courses, such as Macroeconomics, Financial Accounting, Statistics, and Marketing.
As a required part of the cannabis curriculum, students must complete a paid internship, which will help them gain practical experience in cultivation, processing, product creation, inventory management, marketing, and regulatory compliance. Past students have interned in cultivation, processing labs, at dispensaries, with consultants, conducting market research, assisting in product development, and tracking down sales leads, said Mejia. Stockton works with the employer to ensure that valuable learning takes place and that students bring value to the business’ operations. The internships last for one semester and most require about 5-10 hours of time per week.
“Internships are a cornerstone of our cannabis curriculum, providing students with hands-on experience in everything from cultivation to market research, preparing them to bring immediate value to their future employers,” said Mejia.
Stockton University's innovative approach to cannabis education positions it at the forefront of a burgeoning industry. When students graduate, they are expected to have an excellent grasp of how businesses, especially hemp and cannabis businesses, operate.
“Our graduates will be equipped for diverse roles within the hemp and cannabis sectors, from compliance officers to marketing directors, ensuring they can contribute significantly to the industry's expansion,” he said.
Career Pathways
Graduates from the HACM program will be equipped for diverse roles in the hemp and cannabis industry, such as:
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